Gili Lankanfushi Maldives unveils enhanced Gili Lagoon Retreat with private island
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury, has unveiled the enhanced Two Bedroom Sunset Villa to Gili Lagoon Retreat, a spacious two-bedroom overwater hideaway offering guests the rare opportunity to combine quintessential Maldivian overwater living with their very own private island and beach, Three Palm Island.
Set on the resort’s coveted Jetty 3 – renowned for its spectacular sunsets – the new 369m2 upgraded category retreat villa has been designed as the ultimate Robinson Crusoe-style castaway escape. A newly constructed 65-metre walkway connects the villa directly to Three Palm Island, transforming the secluded islet into a private extension of the villa and allowing guests to move effortlessly between life over the lagoon and days spent with their toes in the sand.
The result is the best of both worlds; guests can wake to the gentle rhythm of the Indian Ocean, step directly into the turquoise lagoon from the villa’s expansive deck, then wander across to their own private island to relax on sun loungers, enjoy the secluded beach or retreat to a miniature sandbank. While Jetty 3 offers some of Gili Lankanfushi’s most impressive sunset views, early risers can cross to the private island to watch the sun rising above the island – ideally accompanied by a private breakfast.
Rodrigo Buanafina, General Manager of Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, comments: “The Gili Lagoon Retreat really offers the best of both worlds: the romance and privacy of an overwater villa, together with the feeling of having your own beach and island. In the Maldives, these are two quintessential experiences that are traditionally offered separately, but the new walkway means Three Palm Island is now part of the villa experience.
“Guests can simply wander across to their own stretch of beach and sandbank for a sunrise breakfast, afternoon picnic or sunset drinks and for families in particular, it makes the whole experience much more seamless. Above all, we wanted to create that sense of freedom and castaway adventure that has always been such an important part of Gili Lankanfushi.”
Design & Facilities
Designed primarily for up to four guests, the two-bedroom Gili Lagoon Retreat combines generous indoor and outdoor spaces with Gili Lankanfushi’s signature laid-back approach to luxury. The spacious en-suite master bedroom features a king-sized bed and daybed, while a separate guest bedroom comes complete with its own en-suite facilities, outdoor shower and pantry.
At the heart of the retreat lies an expansive deck overlooking the lagoon, complete with a dedicated dining area, overwater sun deck and direct ocean access. Indoors, a comfortable living and dining space is joined by a pantry with mini wine chiller, while a private steam room, wellness and workout room offers guests the opportunity to maintain their fitness routine in complete seclusion.
A semi open-air private bathroom continues Gili’s signature connection with nature, featuring a bathtub, separate glass-walled shower and its own direct ocean access. Upstairs, a private rooftop terrace provides another peaceful hideaway, with a daybed and traditional Maldivian swing creating the perfect setting for lazy afternoons and sunset watching.
Additional touches include a bamboo bicycle for each guest, Bose sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, Nespresso machine, minibar and chess table, while the resort’s renowned Mr./Ms. Friday private butler service is available 24/7 to arrange everything from private dining to bespoke island experiences.
A Private Island Experience
Set featured imageGuests looking to embrace their inner Robinson Crusoe can make Three Palm Island entirely their own. Private sandbank picnics, sunrise breakfasts and sunset cocktails can be arranged, while refreshments can be provided on the island for days spent drifting between the beach, sandbank and lagoon. Private dining is also available within the villa, allowing guests to enjoy an intimate meal without leaving their retreat.
The new walkway connecting the Gili Lagoon Retreat with Three Palm Island was designed and completed entirely by Gili Lankanfushi’s in-house engineering team. Led by Ahmed Majid, Director of Engineering at Gili Lankanfushi, who has worked at the resort for 16 years, the project uses Yellow Balau timber across the upper deck, with Pine timber beneath and marine-grade fittings and fasteners selected to withstand the island environment.
Ahmed Majid, Director of Engineering at Gili Lankanfushi, comments: “The new walkway is particularly special as it showcases the skill and craftsmanship of our in-house team here at Gili. One of the greatest challenges was integrating the new extension with the existing structure while minimising disruption to the resort but completing it ourselves gave us greater control over quality and allowed us to make decisions quickly.”
“Thanks to the new walkway, Guests can now stroll directly from the villa to Three Palm Island and its secluded beach, creating a completely new experience. For me, the Gili Lagoon Retreat is elegant, spacious and timeless – it enhances the villa while remaining true to the character of Gili Lankanfushi.”
Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport with direct flights from London now available. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery.
Nightly rates at Gili Lagoon Retreat at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives start from $5,200 (£3,846), based on four guests sharing and are subject to seasonal variations. Offering exceptional space and privacy, the villa can accommodate up to six guests, either six adults or four adults and two children. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com.
